[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]'s new position of Chief of Space Security ''sounds'' glamorous... but the job of defending [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s inner moon turns out to be a job that's as isolated as it is mundane—Cosmos spends most of his time either gathering drifting space debris or rescuing [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] from one mishap after another. While on one such patrol, Cosmos picks up a transmission from what he ''assumes'' is a stranded Gears, but actually belongs to [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]], a lonely orbital transport specialist who's taking a detour specifically to annoy his boss.
[[File:OpenComms-Cosmos.jpg|250px|left|thumb]]
[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]'s new position of Chief of Space Security ''sounds'' glamorous... but the job of defending [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s inner moon turns out to be a job that's as isolated as it is mundane—Cosmos spends most of his time either gathering drifting space debris or rescuing [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] from one mishap after another. While on one such patrol, Cosmos picks up a transmission from what he ''assumes'' is a stranded Gears, but actually belongs to [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]], a lonely orbital transport specialist who's taking a detour specifically to annoy his boss.
Flustered and eager to hear a friendly voice for the first time in many cycles, Cosmos's overenthusiastic response leads him to initially worry that he's scared away his mysterious new friend... but he's surprised and pleased to learn that Blast Off is still interested in making conversation. This chance meeting soon evolves into a long-distance relationship; the pair chat as Cosmos goes about his duties, discussing this and that, but after many, many cycles of conversation Cosmos eventually points out that he's never even ''seen'' Blast Off's face.
Flustered and eager to hear a friendly voice for the first time in many cycles, Cosmos's overenthusiastic response leads him to initially worry that he's scared away his mysterious new friend... but he's surprised and pleased to learn that Blast Off is still interested in making conversation. This chance meeting soon evolves into a long-distance relationship; the pair chat as Cosmos goes about his duties, discussing this and that, but after many, many cycles of conversation Cosmos eventually points out that he's never even ''seen'' Blast Off's face.
Almost immediately, Blast Off pings him a picture, one that includes both him ''and'' a dozen other 'bots. As a confused Cosmos tries to match a name to a face, Blast Off laughs; the picture was sent as a joke, to keep him distracted...and, as Cosmos picks up a new blip on his radar system, he turns and comes face-to-face with Blast Off for the first time.
Almost immediately, Blast Off pings him a picture, one that includes both him ''and'' a dozen other 'bots. As a confused Cosmos tries to match a name to a face, Blast Off laughs; the picture was sent as a joke, to keep him distracted...and, as Cosmos picks up a new blip on his radar system, he turns and comes face-to-face with Blast Off for the first time.
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{{featuredcharacters
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c1=
|c2=
|c2=
|c4=
|c4=
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (1)
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (1)
Line 44:
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==Notes==
==Notes==
*'''First appearances:''' [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]
===Continuity notes===
===Continuity notes===
* The [[Winged Moon]] makes a cameo appearance in the first panel.
* The [[Winged Moon]] makes a cameo appearance in the first panel.
Line 52:
Line 53:
===Transformers references===
===Transformers references===
* Potential vacation spots suggested by Blast Off include [[Monacus]] and [[Eurythma]]; the former appeared in ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[The Gambler]]", the latter appeared in "[[Carnage in C-Minor]]".
* Potential vacation spots suggested by Blast Off include [[Monacus]] and [[Eurythma]]; the former appeared in ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[The Gambler]]", the latter appeared in "[[Carnage in C-Minor]]".
* Blast Off's picture contains a ''huge'' variety of characters taken from all across the franchise. At this stage in the game, only two have actually appeared in the main ''Transformers'' ongoing, so it's hard to say at this point which ones might show up in the future! Notable cameos include [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], Blast Off and the four [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s-to-be, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], what's probably ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Tow-Line]], ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] and [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]], ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], and [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], and, last but not least, [[Aileron]]. Generic characters based off pre-existing toys include a flier who uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Classics |''Classics'' toy]], and another 'bot based off of ''Animated'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]]'s [[256-OZU-004|Cybertronian bodies]].
* Blast Off's picture contains a ''huge'' variety of characters taken from all across the franchise. Notable cameos include the other four [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s-to-be, [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], what's probably ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], [[Black-Out]] (modeled after ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]]), [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]] (modeled after ''Animated'' [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]]), [[Tidal Wave (G1)|Tidal Wave]] (modeled after ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]]), and, last but not least, [[Aileron]]. Generic characters based off pre-existing characters and toys include lookalikes of ''Armada'' [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], a flier who uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Classics |''Classics'' toy]], and another 'bot based off of ''Animated'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]]'s [[256-OZU-004|Cybertronian bodies]].
===Other trivia===
===Other trivia===
* The print version of this story has no title; the title was suggested by editor [[David Mariotte]]. <ref> Twitter conversation with Sara Pitre-Durocher: "I hadn't given it a title, so it was David Mariotte that thought of it."</ref>
* The print version of this story has no title; the title was suggested by editor [[David Mariotte]].<ref> Twitter conversation with Sara Pitre-Durocher: "I hadn't given it a title, so it was David Mariotte that thought of it."</ref>
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron
the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
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infestation 2=Infestation 2
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more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone
the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
first strike=First Strike
ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
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requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
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transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
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fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
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{{{series}}}
[[{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
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transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
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fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
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#| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category
[[Category:IDW {{#switch:{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
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transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}}}
{{#switch:prime
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
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prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
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fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:primeadaptation
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
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prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
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fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:ragedinobots
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
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transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
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fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
ragedinobots}}=Prime
{{#switch:rid2015
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fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
rid2015}}=Robots in Disguise (2015)
{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=War for Cybertron
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the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
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infestation 2=Infestation 2
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the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
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ROM
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revolution=Revolution
revolutionaries=Revolutionaries
action man=Action Man
gijoe5|g.i. joe vol 5|g.i. joe vol. 5|g.i. joe volume 5|g.i. joe (vol. 5)|g.i. joe (volume 5)=G.I. Joe vol. 5
g.i. joe idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
first strike=First Strike
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
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transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
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Cosmos's new position of Chief of Space Security sounds glamorous... but the job of defending Cybertron's inner moon turns out to be a job that's as isolated as it is mundane—Cosmos spends most of his time either gathering drifting space debris or rescuing Gears from one mishap after another. While on one such patrol, Cosmos picks up a transmission from what he assumes is a stranded Gears, but actually belongs to Blast Off, a lonely orbital transport specialist who's taking a detour specifically to annoy his boss.
Flustered and eager to hear a friendly voice for the first time in many cycles, Cosmos's overenthusiastic response leads him to initially worry that he's scared away his mysterious new friend... but he's surprised and pleased to learn that Blast Off is still interested in making conversation. This chance meeting soon evolves into a long-distance relationship; the pair chat as Cosmos goes about his duties, discussing this and that, but after many, many cycles of conversation Cosmos eventually points out that he's never even seen Blast Off's face.
Almost immediately, Blast Off pings him a picture, one that includes both him and a dozen other 'bots. As a confused Cosmos tries to match a name to a face, Blast Off laughs; the picture was sent as a joke, to keep him distracted...and, as Cosmos picks up a new blip on his radar system, he turns and comes face-to-face with Blast Off for the first time.
"Yeah, I mean, it's a thankless job, but I take it seriously. Mostly."
"That why you're using your comm channel to talk to me instead of keeping it clear in case of emergency?"
"...'Mostly' is the keyword here."
The Winged Moon makes a cameo appearance in the first panel.
Gears made some prior appearances in the earliest issues of the main ongoing comic as a worker on the Tether. Given the unclear (and extremely long) timeframe of this story, it's not clear his frequent space-related accidents happened while he was working on some prior job, or if occasionally drifting off into space is just a natural hazard of working on a space elevator.
Blast Off's picture is a veritable smorgasbord of characters (but see "Transformers references" for more on that); the presence of the now-unstable and currently AWOL Quake in the photograph suggests that it might have been taken at some point around the time of the War of the Threefold Spark.
The print version of this story has no title; the title was suggested by editor David Mariotte.<ref> Twitter conversation with Sara Pitre-Durocher: "I hadn't given it a title, so it was David Mariotte that thought of it."</ref>
{{#if: |